NYC’s public-transit system isn’t at its healthiest, and lawmakers in Albany just proposed a plan to tackle this.
The new proposal challenges NY Governor Kathy Hochul’s $227 billion budget plan, which includes a multiyear plan to lend a helping hand and provide new revenue streams to the NYC’s ailing subway system.
Lawmakers released their own financial blueprint, which shot down some of Hochul’s plans, and instead, the Senate proposed giving the New York City Council the authority to create a parking permit system in NYC’s residential neighborhoods, according to the New York Times.
The details include allowing the city to charge up to $30 a month for residential parking permits, in which revenues–which the senate estimates can generate about $400 million annually–would be funneled to the MTA. Beyond supporting the MTA, they believe the permits would make it easier for residents to find street parking.
“This is something that I know a lot neighborhoods in the city have been talking about and encouraging us to think about for many, many years,” said Democratic State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris according to Spectrum News. “And we are putting it on the table at a time when the MTA is in desperate need of funding.”
Some lawmakers are already showing their disagreement with the plan, such as Brooklyn Councilman Justin Brannan who tweeted, “Umm we never asked for this.”
Assemblymember Kenny Burgos also disagrees, wondering if residential parking permits would even work or make sense in New York City.
In addition to the permits, the State Senate also proposed adding an additional $.50-per-trip fee on for-hire vehicle companies such as Uber and Lyft.
The proposal will need to be negotiated with Hochul, and it’s unclear if it will move forward.